2013 NFL Mock Draft: How Day 2 Will Shake out

Now that the first round of the 2013 NFL draft is out of the way, it’s time to predict how the always wild Day 2 will shake out.

The second and third rounds are where the real depth and character of this draft is, and if a team wants to be a perennial contender for years to come, this is the class to trade up and stockpile players.

This is how Day 2 (both the second and third rounds) will play out.

Round 2

33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a big splash selecting Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the No. 2 pick in the first round, and they should add even more intrigue to the quarterback competition by drafting USC’s Matt Barkley at No. 33.

The San Francisco 49ers lost defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga to free agency, and when a talented prospect like Alabama’s Jesse Williams falls all the way to No. 34 overall, the team will find the long-term replacement at DT it was looking for.

35. Philadelphia Eagles: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

After playing it safe and taking one of the top offensive linemen in the draft with Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson in the first round, the Philadelphia Eagles and new head coach Chip Kelly will make the biggest splash of the second round by drafting West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith at No. 35 overall.

36. Detroit Lions: Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

With both Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch both moving on, the Detroit Lions must find a legitimate pass-rusher versatile enough to play in whatever style of defense the team is running that week. The perfect fit would be Texas A&M DE/OLB Damontre Moore.

While the Cincinnati Bengals brought Rey Maualuga back for two more seasons, the need for a long-term replacement at middle linebacker and a defensive leader on and off the field makes selecting polarizing Notre Dame star MantiTe'o a no-brainer.

38. Arizona Cardinals: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

The Arizona Cardinals haven’t had a viable option at tight end in years, and with the need to add even more talent on the offensive line, a versatile player that can block in the run game while still remaining effective in the passing attack like Stanford’s Zach Ertz is the right answer.

39. New York Jets: Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse

The New York Jets lost LaRon Landry to free agency this offseason, and the need for a replacement is a top priority on Day 2. With Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas still on the board, the team will find the long-term answer it desperately needed.

40. Tennessee Titans: John Cyprien, S, FIU

The Tennessee Titans played it smart by taking a fundamentally sound player like Alabama guard Chance Warmack in the first round, and the idea of addressing fundamental flaws will result in the franchise selecting talented safety John Cyprien at No. 40 overall.

41. Buffalo Bills: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

The Buffalo Bills drafted the quarterback of the future in E.J. Manuel, and now the franchise must protect its investment. When Florida State offensive tackle Menelik Watson falls into the team’s lap at No. 41 overall, this will be the smartest decision.

The Oakland Raiders lost Desmond Bryant (free agency) and Richard Seymour (released) this offseason, and a defensive tackle prospect as talented as Ohio State’s Johnathan Hankins will not make it past this pick.

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

Once projected as a first-round pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be lucky enough to benefit from the falling stock of Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks. Teaming with a bonafide star like Darrelle Revis would do wonders for Banks.

44. Carolina Panthers: Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky

The Carolina Panthers and head coach Ron Rivera know the importance of winning the battles in the trenches, and with that in mind, the franchise will go with an interior lineman at No. 44 with Kentucky guard Larry Warford.

45. San Diego Chargers: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

The San Diego Chargers franchise may have lost faith in oft-injured running back Ryan Mathews, and with a potential star sitting on the board at No. 45 in Alabama bruiser Eddie Lacy, this should be one of the easiest picks of the 2013 draft.

46. Buffalo Bills (via St. Louis Rams): Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut

The Buffalo Bills need all the help they can get defensively, and the addition of a versatile pass-rusher like Connecticut outside linebacker Sio Moore would be the perfect complement to Mario Williams on the other side.

47. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Woods, WR, USC

It’s impossible to predict what Dallas Cowboys’ owner/GM Jerry Jones will do in the second round, but with a talented wide receiver like USC’s Robert Woods still available, Jones won’t be able to contain himself.

48. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

After losing Mike Wallace via free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers know that addressing the wide receiver position must be a top priority. If Cal’s Keenan Allen is on the board when the team’s second-round pick is called, this will be the selection.

49. New York Giants: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State

The need to upgrade the secondary is still a major concern for the New York Giants heading into Day 2, and if Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor falls all the way to No. 49, Big Blue will fill be able to fill a serious void.

50. Chicago Bears: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU

With Brian Urlacher gone and the need for a long-term replacement evident, the Chicago Bears will make the right choice and take one of the most talented all-around defenders in the 2013 draft, LSU inside linebacker Kevin Minter.

51. Washington Redskins: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

The Washington Redskins will look to improve on their run defense in 2013, and adding a defensive tackle as impactful through the middle as Purdue’s Kawann Short is a good start.

While Alex Okafor was a defensive end at Texas, the New England Patriots would be drafting the talented prospect with the intention of making him into a pass-rushing outside linebacker. If the transition works, this could be the steal of the draft.

53. Cincinnati Bengals: Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi

The Cincinnati Bengals’ need for a pass-rusher off the edge will have the team looking at the upside of a small-school wonder like Southern Mississippi outside linebacker Jamie Collins at No. 53.

The Miami Dolphins' offseason makeover will continue with the drafting of South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger to help shore up the inconsistent secondary.

55. Green Bay Packers: TerronArmstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

The need to protect Aaron Rodgers should be the team’s top priority on Day 2, and after drafting a pass-rusher in the first round, the Green Bay Packers must take Arkansas-Pine Bluff offensive tackle TerronArmstead.

56. Seattle Seahawks: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia

After a great 2012, the Seattle Seahawks are still looking to beef up the interior of the defensive line. With a bonafide run-stopper in Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins still on the board, consider this problem solved.

57. Houston Texans: Brian Schwenke, C, Cal

The Houston Texans need strong and athletic offensive linemen in their zone-blocking scheme, and a versatile interior offensive lineman like Cal’s Brian Schwenke would be a smart fundamental decision.

58. Denver Broncos: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

The raw talent of SMU defensive end prospect Margus Hunt is undeniable, and with the loss of Elvis Dumervilvia free agency, the void will force the Denver Broncos to take the risk with the foreign-born player.

59. New England Patriots: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

The New England Patriots are always in need of upgrades at the defensive end and outside linebacker positions, and when LSU standout Sam Montgomery makes it all the way to No. 59, the franchise would actually have a long-term answer at DE.

60. Atlanta Falcons: Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State

The Atlanta Falcons cut veteran defensive end John Abraham this offseason, and the franchise must be looking for his replacement. If Florida State pass-rusher Tank Carradine falls to No. 60 overall, Atlanta’s biggest Day 2 need will be filled.

61. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

NFL legend and wide receiver Randy Moss will not be back with the San Francisco 49ers next season, but the need for another pass-catcher is too obvious to avoid. When talented Tennessee prospect Justin Hunter falls to No. 61 overall, the 49ers will have their man.

62. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State

After addressing the need for safety help in the first round with Florida’s Matt Elam, the Baltimore Ravens will stay in the secondary and address the need for a cornerback. If Mississippi State’s Darius Slay is still there at No. 62, this should be an easy selection.